Canadian Hall of Fame Trainer Doyle Dies

Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame trainer Mike Doyle has died, according to a release from Woodbine. A respected horseman and longstanding member of the Woodbine racing community, Doyle left an impact on the sport of horse racing and on the many people who had the privilege of working alongside him, the Canadian track added. Doyle was 74. "On behalf of everyone at Woodbine Entertainment, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to Mike's family, his friends, and the entire Woodbine racing community," Woodbine CEO Michael Copeland said. "Our sport is built on the strength of the people who dedicate their lives to it, and Mike's contributions to Woodbine racing throughout his career were significant. His accomplishments speak for themselves, and his unwavering passion for horse racing was evident to all who worked with him. Mike has been an important part of our community for many years, and he will be profoundly missed." Born in Dublin, Ireland, Doyle seemed destined for a life with horses. At an early age, he became well versed in numerous equine disciplines, including breaking and training jumpers and racehorses while still attending school. His father—Jack, a trainer and bloodstock agent—wanted his son to try veterinary school. Instead, Doyle eventually moved to Canada, first finding work with Gardiner Farms before joining Woodbine trainer Jim Bentley. In 1978, Doyle took the reins as a trainer for George Frostad's Bo-Teek Stable and saddled his first winner that same year. Six years later, Doyle began training Eaton Fall Farm's 2-year-old filly Bessarabian, purchased for $122,000 at the Florida Breeders Sales Hialeah Open Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale in March 1984. Bessarabian won four stakes that year, including the Gardenia Stakes (G2) and Natalma Stakes (G3T) that helped Doyle earn the Sovereign Award for outstanding trainer for that year. Bessarabian would later be named Canada's 1986 champion older mare. His success continued in the years that followed. Doyle trained numerous stars throughout his decorated career, including 1989 Canadian Oaks winner Blondeinamotel, multiple stakes winner Wavering Girl, and Wild Gale, whom he campaigned through the 1993 United States Triple Crown, finishing third in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1). Doyle accepted a position in 1994 to work as racing manager for Frank Stronach. In 1994, he was part of the team that won the Queen's Plate Stakes with Basqueian, trained by Daniel Vella. Doyle remained as Stronach's racing manager for several years. Doyle later returned to the training ranks, working for Stronach and other clients. Doyle saddled Stronach's Wild Rush to two victories in the winter of 1996-97 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots before the colt and eventual sire was sent west to Richard Mandella in California. Wild Rush would travel back east to win the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) for Mandella in May 1998. Wild Rush concluded his racing career that year for Stronach's then-private trainer Pat Byrne. Doyle went on to enjoy numerous successes with longtime assistant Brent Harris—who began working with Doyle in 2000—at his side. One of those moments came Oct. 25, 2014, when Doyle recorded his 1,000th career win with Evangeline's Hope at Woodbine. In August of this year, Doyle—who worked for some of racing's most notable owners—was officially inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. In all, Doyle concluded his career with 1,178 wins, including 29 stakes victories, and $44,219,047 in purse earnings.